Air delivery apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An air compressor, air reservoir and an air dryer each are provided on wheeled frame. Compressed air charges the reservoir and is dehumidified in the dryer for simultaneous delivery to plural air ventilation systems worn by individuals.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to air delivery systems, and more particularly to a modular air delivery system that provides a supply of pressurized, treated air to protective equipment worn by an individual to regulate the individual's body temperature.

BACKGROUND

Many people wear equipment and clothing designed to protect them from temperature extremes, and to regulate the temperature of their body. Professionals such as firefighters and athletes most often use this type of protective equipment and clothing, although use of such clothing is by no means limited to these users. For example, firefighters are required to wear heavy clothing that provides protection from extreme heat. While the heavy clothing worn by firefighters serves an important function by shielding the user from heat, it similarly is very warm and can lead to the wearer becoming overheated. Likewise, athletes such as football and hockey players, and racecar drivers wear heavy protective gear that provides essential protection, but which may lead to overheating. This is especially true with football players who often play in hot, humid conditions. Just as heavy protective clothing and equipment serves a necessary purpose, in doing so it can contribute to overheating, which in extreme cases may be a dangerous condition.

Various ventilation systems worn by athletes and the like have been designed for alleviating overheating caused by protective clothing and equipment. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,119 to Zafred, U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,519 to Weber, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,019 to Turner et al. each describe ventilation systems that are worn by individuals who can benefit by keeping body temperature regulated. Each of the cooling apparel systems described in these patents requires a source of a fluid that may be supplied to the apparel system. In the '119 patent the apparel device is connected to a source of liquid carbon dioxide. The cooling garment is charged with liquid carbon dioxide, which converts to a solid phase in the garment, and the garment is then disconnected from the carbon dioxide source. The solid carbon dioxide in the garment sublimates while the garment is worn to thereby cool the user. The '519 patent provides a method for connecting the garment to a source of relatively dry air—the air flows through an air permeable layer in the garment to cool the wearer. Air may be supplied to the garment from a pressurized canister mounted to a wearer's belt, a remote supply such as a compressor, or a portable blower. The '019 patent describes a ventilation system having an air bladder that receives air from a compressor to supply warm or cooled air to the ventilation system.

There is a need for improved air delivery systems designed for use with ventilation systems worn by individuals to regulate body temperature.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a modular air delivery system for use in supplying treated air to plural individuals wearing ventilation apparatus. The system is modular and easily transported to any location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will be apparent by reference to the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is schematic view of a modular air delivery apparatus according to the present invention showing components of the apparatus and one environment in which the modular air delivery apparatus may be used.

FIG. 2 is front view of a preferred embodiment of ventilation system, in this case a ventilation garment, with which the modular air delivery apparatus may be used.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the ventilation system shown in FIG. 2 with the outer layer of the garment removed to expose the underlying layer.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the ventilation system shown in FIG. 3, with the outer layer of the garment removed to expose the underlying layer.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6. is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the inner layer of the ventilation system shown in FIG. 2, prior to the ventilation system being incorporated into a garment.

FIG. 7. is a plan view of the ventilation system shown in FIG. 6, illustrating air channels.

FIG. 8. is a plan view outer layer of the ventilation system shown in FIG. 2, prior to the ventilation system being incorporated into a garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Where ventilations systems such as those described herein are used, there is often a need to supply air to more than one user of the system. For example, many members of a football team's offense may be wearing ventilation systems such as that described below with reference to FIGS. 2 through 8. Each individual player in this case needs to have a separate supply of air. The same is true of firefighters: there are instances where many individuals need to attach their ventilation system to a supply of cooling air. In addition, in many locations where ventilation systems are worn, there are a variety of restrictions in place on the types of equipment that are allowed. As just one example, many football stadiums place restrictions on the type and size of compressors that are allowed onto the sidelines—gas-powered compressors may not allowed, or if they are allowed, they must be remotely located from the place where the players need them. The same is true in ice arenas where hockey is played. The air delivery apparatus 10 described herein may be used to deliver treated air to any suitable ventilation system, and is capable of delivering treated air to plural users. One suitable ventilation system is described herein with reference to a ventilation garment.

With reference now to FIG. 1, the air delivery apparatus 10 according to the present invention is shown as including several component parts, each of which is a contained in a separate wheeled module. Thus, apparatus 10 includes an air compressor 12, a first air reservoir 20, a second, optional air reservoir 22, a dryer 30, and a treated air distribution module referenced generally with number 40 that is configured to simultaneously deliver treated air to plural ventilation systems, each worn by a wearer such as 50 a, 50 b, 50 c . . . through 50 g. In the illustration of FIG. 1, wearers 50 are shown to be athletes such as football players seated on a player bench 52 such as would be found on the sidelines in a football stadium. From the description that follows it will be appreciated that the number of individual connections to wearers 50 that air delivery module 40 is designed to serve may be tailored according to need. In the case of a football team, the number of wearers could be 11 as shown in FIG. 1—the number of players on the offensive and defensive teams. The invention is not limited to use by football players or players in any other sport, or any number of wearers.

Each of the components will now be separately described.

Compressor 12, each air reservoir 20, 22, and air dryer 30 are modular units that are supplied on wheeled frames 60 that allow the units to be very portable and thus easily moved from place to place without the assistance of tractors and the like. The modular units may be quickly connected to and uncoupled from one another as shown in FIG. 1 with coupling arms 62, and the coupling arms may be used as handles to push and pull the units, as with coupling arm 62 on air dryer 30. The wheeled frames 60 allow the modular units to be moved individually or together as an interconnected group as in FIG. 1. The compressor, reservoirs and air dryer may be mounted onto wheeled frames in any appropriate manner that allows the frames and the equipment mounted on them to be easily moved from location to location. While the wheeled frames make transporting the individual modular units from place to place, the modular units may be provided without wheels so long as the units are portable.

Turning now to a description of the individual modules, air compressor 12 is an electric compressor that preferably is operable on a 110V power supply, although a compressor operable on a 220V or other power supply will suffice. The preferred compressor 12 is a rotary vane type of compressor. Such compressors are available from numerous commercial suppliers. The air compressor 12 selected for use in any particular air delivery apparatus 10 should be of an appropriate size for that particular apparatus, and should have sufficient operating capacity to pressurize and maintain each air reservoir used in the apparatus. Although not shown in the drawings, air compressor 12 includes appropriate control mechanisms and operations indicators such as output air pressure and the like.

Any number of air reservoirs such as first air reservoir 20 and second air reservoir 22 may be used in series as shown in FIG. 1, and the air compressor 12 should be of sufficient size to charge each air reservoir to the desired operating pressure. In the preferred embodiment the air reservoirs 20 and 22 are pressurized to an operating pressure of about 100 lb/in² or above. Increasing the number of reservoirs 20 in an air delivery apparatus 10 increases the output capacity of the system. The air compressor 12 is connected to the first air reservoir 20 with a flexible high-pressure hose 24 that preferably is fitted with a quick-connect type of coupler 26 that allows the hose to be quickly connected to and disconnected from the air reservoir. Although a coupler 26 is shown on only the downstream end of high-pressure hose 24, each end of the hose may be fitted with a like coupler. Preferably, each high-pressure hose used in apparatus 10 will be insulated to minimize any change in air temperature resulting from environmental exposure. Moreover, the length of hosing is preferably minimized to reduce fluctuation in air temperature between modular units such as air compressor 12, and air reservoir 20. Each air reservoir 20, 22 preferably includes an air pressure gauge 21 and other appropriate control apparatus such as air pressure regulation valves and the like.

Each successive air reservoir is likewise coupled to the previous reservoir with a high-pressure hose fitted with quick-connect couplers. Thus, second air reservoir 22 is connected to first air reservoir 20 with high-pressure hose 28 equipped with coupler 26.

Air dryer 30 is a compressed air dryer having a capacity matched to the capacity of the rest of apparatus 10, and preferably is of the type having an easily replaceable, modular desiccant cartridge. The compressed air dryer 30 dries the air to a relative humidity at the outlet of the dryer that is appropriate under the conditions, considering for example the relative humidity and temperature of the ambient air, the purpose for which the air is being used, etc. In a typical example of use of apparatus 10 with a football team in typical weather conditions, air dryer 30 preferably dries the air to a relative humidity at the outlet of the dryer of to a humidity in the range of between about 50% to less than 1%. It will be appreciated that the relative humidity of air leaving the dryer may vary significantly. As with the high-pressure hoses that interconnect the first and second air reservoirs, compressed air dryer 30 is coupled to second air reservoir 22 with a flexible high-pressure hose, preferably including quick connect couplers 26. Compressed air dryer 30 preferably is equipped with monitoring and control systems such as a relative humidity meter 31 that provides information about the moisture content of output air. Although not shown in the drawings, an output air pressure regulating valve may optionally be used on the output fitting from air dryer 30. In some instances the air dryer 30 may be omitted—for example, in locations where the ambient air is at a low relative humidity.

Desiccated air is output from compressed air dryer 30 to air delivery module 40, which includes a flexible, insulated high-pressure main air hose 42 that may optionally include an in-line pressure control valve 44 operable to increase and or decrease air pressure in main air hose 42 according to need. Main air hose 42 terminates in a T-fitting 46 that supplies first branch hose 48 and second branch hose 49. Each branch hose 48, 49 is fitted with plural T-fittings 51, each of which is connected to an air connection hose 54 that is used to couple the air delivery module 40 to individual wearers 50. In FIG. 1, seven individual wearers 50 are shown having their air ventilation apparel systems connected to one of the air connection hoses 54. Each air connection hose 54 has a quick connect coupler 56 on its terminal end. Quick connect couplers 56 are connectable to the input fittings on the air ventilation apparel and are one-way valve fittings that are open when a connection to an air ventilation garment is made, and closed when the connection to the garment is disconnected.

Because the air delivery apparatus 10 described above is comprised of modular units that may be quickly and easily interconnected, the entire apparatus 10 may be delivered to locations where it is needed very quickly. Because the air compressor 12 is powered by electricity, there are few restrictions on transporting the unit on most carriers such as airlines, which often restrict transportation of equipment powered with fossil fuels. The individual components of apparatus 10 may thus be transported to any location, wheeled to a specific location where wearers 50 are located (either before or after the individual modules 12, 22, etc. are connected to one another), and operated.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 through 8, one preferred ventilation system 100 with which the air delivery apparatus 10 described above may be used is described. Although the ventilation system 100 described herein and shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 is embodied in a garment such as a T-shirt 150, it is to be understood that the ventilation system may also be incorporated with or in other items such as, for example, football helmets, firefighter's headgear, pants, jackets, sports equipment, shoes, gloves, blankets, and any other item that may be used by an individual to modify or regulate the individual's body temperature.

With reference to FIGS. 6 through 8, a ventilation system that is designed for incorporation into a T-shirt (as shown in FIGS. 2 through 4) includes an inner layer 110 (FIG. 6), an outer layer 130 (FIG. 8) and an intermediate layer 120 (FIG. 7). Inner layer 110 is preferably a fabric material having microporous structure that has holes of a size that allows air to diffuse through the layer. Outer layer 130 is preferably a fabric material that is impermeable to air, such as fabric coated with a plastic material. The three layers 110, 120 and 130 are sandwiched together atop one another such that the intermediate layer 120 defines a series of air channels 122. The air channels 122 are operatively connected through an air hose 140 to a source of air, such as the air delivery apparatus 10 described herein.

It will be appreciated that intermediate layer 120 and the air channels 122 defined in ventilation system 100 may be formed with glue applied between the inner and outer layers 110 and 130, or may be formed by welding the inner and outer layers, 110 and 130, together, such as with radio frequency welding. As such, intermediate layer 120 need not be a distinct layer, but instead is the joined interface area between the inner and outer layers, 110 and 130, that define the air channels through the ventilation system. As noted above, the ventilation system is typically incorporated into a garment such as the T-shirt 150 shown in FIGS. 2 through 4.

The portion in which the intermediate layer 120 comprises glue or welded areas is shown in the drawings with stippling and is identified in FIG. 7 with reference number 124. The arrows 112 in the drawings illustrate the flow of air through ventilation system 100. Air is introduced to ventilation system 100 through air hose 140 and flows through channels 122. When the ventilation system is incorporated into a T-shirt 150, the air channels 122 extend over the front and back portions of the garment so that air flows over the user's back, shoulders and chest. Referring to FIG. 5, air flowing through channel 122 diffuses through inner layer 120, which as noted is permeable to air, toward the wearer's body. Outer layer 130 is not air-permeable, so air flows in a one-way direction through inner layer 110, toward the wearer's body. Because outer layer 130 is not permeable, a series of through holes 160 are formed through the ventilation system 100 in the glued areas 124 to allow sweat to escape from the wearer's body to the atmosphere.

In operation, each of the individual modular units in apparatus 10 is positioned as desired and interconnected to one another as shown in FIG. 1. Air compressor 12 is connected to an appropriate power source and each air reservoir 20, 22 is charged to a predetermined operating pressure. The operating pressure is adjusted with pressure regulation control valves. Pressure control valve 44, if used, is adjusted to the desired output pressure according to the working pressure that is most suited to the type of air ventilation garment that the wearers are using. The air dryer 30 is adjusted so that the air delivered to users is desiccated relative to atmospheric air, and as noted, the relative humidity of the air delivered to users is about 30% or less.

The wearers may then connect their ventilation garments such as ventilation a systems 100 to air delivery hoses with quick connect couplers 56 as desired. Once a connection is made, air having desired moisture content and pressure is delivered to the ventilation garment.

It will be appreciated that compressed air is normally cooler than ambient air temperatures. As such, air delivery apparatus 10 need not include refrigeration systems to deliver air that is relatively cooler than ambient air. Moreover, because the air delivered from air delivery apparatus 10 to the wearers 50 has a relative humidity that is lower than that of the atmosphere, evaporative drying and the cooling effect of it is increased. Nonetheless, air delivery apparatus 10 may optionally include an air refrigerator 70 inline in the system, shown schematically in FIG. 1 in main air hose 42.

Likewise, air delivery apparatus 10 may optionally be used to deliver heated air to wearers 50 by use of an air heater 72, also shown schematically inline in main air hose 42. Where an air refrigerator 70 and/or an air heater 72 are used, the equipment is provided on a wheeled frame with quick connect couplings.

As noted above, because each of the modular units that are used in air delivery apparatus 10 are separately contained on wheeled frames (i.e., air compressor 12, air reservoir 20, air dryer 30), the entire system may be quickly transported to the precise location where it is needed. For example, in the case where athletes such as football players are wearing the ventilation systems 100, the air delivery apparatus 10 may be set up next to the players' bench. Hockey teams may similarly set the system up next to the bench. As used herein, the term “sidelines” thus refers to a location adjacent a sporting field such as a football field, hockey rink, etc. As noted above, the air delivery apparatus 10 may be used to deliver treated air to firefighters and the like, as well. The term sidelines thus by analogy refers to the locations where the air delivery apparatus may be used to deliver treated air to any user. With American football players, some or all of the offensive team members may be connected to the air delivery apparatus on the sideline while the defensive team is on the field, and vice versa.

While the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill that the spirit and scope of the invention is not limited to those embodiments, but extend to the various modifications and equivalents as defined in the appended claims. 

1. Air delivery apparatus for delivering air simultaneously to a plurality of individuals, each wearing an air ventilation garment for regulating or modifying the individual's body temperature, comprising: an air compressor; an air reservoir fluidly connected to the air compressor; an air dryer fluidly connected to the air reservoir; and an air distribution module fluidly connected to the air dryer and capable of simultaneously delivering air to a plurality of ventilation garments worn by individuals to regulate or modify body temperature.
 2. The air delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the air distribution module is further defined by a main air delivery hose connected to the air reservoir and plural branch hoses, each branch hose capable of connection to an individual using an air ventilation system.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The air delivery apparatus according to claim 2 having a pressure control valve in the main air delivery hose.
 5. The air delivery apparatus according to claim 1 including an air refrigerator between the air dryer and the air distribution module.
 6. The air delivery apparatus according to claim 1 including an air heater between the air dryer and the air distribution module.
 7. The air delivery apparatus according to claim 1 including an air refrigerator and an air heater between the air dryer and the air distribution module.
 8. The air delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the air dryer is operable to dry air delivered to the air distribution module to a relative humidity of less than 50%.
 9. The air delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the air compressor is mechanically connected to the air reservoir and the air reservoir is mechanically connected to the air dryer.
 10. The air delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the air compressor is an electric rotary vane compressor.
 11. The air delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each air ventilation system is further defined by a garment worn by an individual, said garment comprising an air permeable fabric inner layer, an air impermeable fabric outer layer, and plural air channels defined between said inner and outer layers.
 12. The air delivery apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said garment includes plural holes extending through the inner and outer layers.
 13. The air delivery apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said garment includes a fitting for selective connection of the garment to the air distribution module.
 14. The air delivery apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the individuals are athletes.
 15. The air delivery apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the athletes are football players.
 16. A method of delivering treated air simultaneously to a plurality of air ventilation garments, each garment configured to be worn by an individual and each garment configure to be used for regulating and modifying the individual's body temperature, comprising the steps of: a) providing a portable air compressor; b) providing a portable air reservoir; c) providing a portable air dryer; d) moving the air compressor, air reservoir and air dryer to a desired location; e) fluidly connecting the air dryer to the air compressor and fluidly connecting the air dryer to the air reservoir; f) fluidly connecting an air distribution module to the air dryer, the air distribution module having plural distribution lines; and g) selectively connecting distribution lines to air ventilation garments worn by individuals and simultaneously delivering desiccated air to each of the distribution lines connected to an air ventilation garment.
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled)
 20. The method according to claim 16 including the step of operating the air dryer to dehumidify the delivered air to a relative humidity of less than about 30%.
 21. The method according to claim 16 including mounting the air compressor, air reservoir and air dryer on respective wheeled frames.
 22. An air delivery apparatus for delivering treated air simultaneously to plural body temperature regulating air ventilation apparatus, comprising: an air compressor; an air reservoir fluidly connected to the air compressor; an air desiccator fluidly connected to the air reservoir; an air distribution module fluidly connected to the air desiccator and having plural air distribution lines; and plural air ventilation garment means, each configured for being worn by an individual and each for cooling the body of the individual, and each air ventilation means selectively connectable to an air distribution line.
 23. (canceled)
 24. Apparatus according to claim 22 in which each air ventilation means further comprises a garment worn by an individual, said garment comprising an air permeable fabric inner layer, an air impermeable fabric outer layer, and plural air channels between said inner and outer layers.
 25. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said garment includes plural holes extending through the inner and outer layers.
 26. Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein each of the air compressor, air reservoir, and air dryer are separately mounted on a wheeled frame.
 27. A method of simultaneously delivering treated air to plural users on the sidelines in order to regulate and modify the body temperature of the users, each of said users wearing an air ventilation system, comprising the steps of: a) locating a portable air compressor on the sidelines; b) locating a portable air reservoir on the sidelines: c) fluidly connecting the air reservoir to the air compressor; d) fluidly connecting an air distribution module having plural distribution lines to the air reservoir; e) operating the air compressor to deliver air to the air distribution module; f) connecting plural air distribution lines to plural air ventilation systems worn by plural users; and e) simultaneously delivering air to each of the plural distribution lines.
 28. The method according to claim 27 including the step of treating the air so that it is delivered at a predetermined relative humidity.
 29. The method according to claim 28 wherein the step of treating the air includes drying the air in an air dryer.
 30. The method according to claim 27 including the step of cooling the air.
 31. The method according to claim 27 including the step of heating the air.
 32. The method according to claim 27 wherein the plural users comprise athletes.
 33. The method according to claim 32 wherein the athletes are football players. 